Charlotte Muru-Lanning

Contributing writer

Charlotte Muru-Lanning (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato Tainui) has a BA in sociology and film and media studies and recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism at Auckland University of Technology.

Ātea
Apr 9, 2021

The Haka Party Incident masterfully brings to life a bold act of resistance

ATC's gutsy new production hammers home the enduring relevance of a fleeting confrontation 40 years ago.

Read on.

Ātea
Apr 4, 2021

The new generation rebuilding Tapu Te Ranga Marae

Pare Sannyasi grew up at Wellington’s Tapu Te Ranga Marae, founded by her father Bruce Stewart. Now she's part of the rebuilding process after the main whare was destroyed by fire in 2019.

Read on.

Business
Mar 30, 2021

Light at end of tunnel for Lifewise workers, two years on

After almost two years in limbo, aged care workers at the Methodist-run charity Lifewise have struck a deal that both sides hope will put an end to recent industrial action.

Read on.

Society
Mar 17, 2021

Questions raised over charity’s fundraising drive for K Rd cafe

Supporters are thrilled that Merge will remain open, but some have concerns about the campaign.

Read on.

Ātea
Mar 8, 2021

Cousins tells Māori stories with subtlety, kindness and aroha

The film adaptation of Patricia Grace’s novel is a hopeful glimpse at what could be a new era of cinema in New Zealand.

Read on.

Food
Mar 6, 2021

Ice with red wine: is it ever OK?

Iced latte, iced americano, iced tea... why not iced red wine?

Read on.

Food
Mar 5, 2021

He was ejected from MAFS NZ due to domestic violence charges. Now he wants to open a bar on K Rd

Former reality show contestant Chris Mansfield has plans to open a bar in Auckland’s St Kevin's Arcade. Some locals are determined to stop him.

Read on.

Business
Feb 26, 2021

Soap Dancehall: The new Auckland bar where a fun night out doesn’t cost a bomb

With crowd-friendly dance tunes and affordable drinks, a new dancehall and bar opening tonight is hoping to make going out more accessible for Aucklanders.

Read on.

Ātea Otago
Feb 23, 2021

How non-Māori students play a part in te reo revitalisation

If we want to meet the goal of one million speakers by 2040, it’s going to take a team effort.

Read on.

Ātea
Feb 22, 2021

What the new tenancy laws mean for Māori

The legislative changes are designed to improve renters' rights, but will they make a difference to the people who have borne the brunt of the housing crisis?

Read on.

Society
Feb 14, 2021

Hear me out: Valentine’s Day doesn’t suck

Put some sparkly heart-shaped earrings on, splurge on Fancy Feast for your cat, bake a cake to share (or not) and embrace it.

Read on.

Food
Feb 5, 2021

Keeping cool in Kāpiti: Two mates bringing real fruit ice blocks to the people

Avocado and lime; plum and vanilla yoghurt... you won't find these pops in the dairy freezer.

Read on.

Food
Jan 28, 2021

Not scanning in? Your barista is judging you

No one understands NZ's woeful Covid-19 Tracer app use quite like those in the food industry.

Read on.

Food
Jan 21, 2021

The new store selling delicious Mexican sandwiches to hungry Aucklanders

Miss Torta in central Auckland is putting the spotlight on a snack that's commonplace in Mexico, but until now relatively unknown in New Zealand. You've heard of a torta, but what …

Read on.

Ātea
Dec 30, 2020

How much would you pay for a photo of our ancestors?

Photographs of tūpuna Māori are fetching top prices at auction houses, with their descendants often forking out to 'bring them home'. 

Read on.

Ātea
Dec 23, 2020

The never-ending quest to find a sexy ethical dress

Why is it so hard to find a party dress that's sexy and sustainable?

Read on.

Ātea
Dec 19, 2020

The truth about Ihumātao: All the false claims and misinformation, corrected

Now that a deal has been made, it’s time to set the record straight.

Read on.

Ātea
Dec 9, 2020

From fedoras to fascinators: A history of Māori and hats

For the likes of Kīngi Tawhiao, Dalvanius Prime and Deborah Ngarewa-Packer, pōtae are much more than an accessory.

Read on.

Ātea
Nov 29, 2020

How much would you pay for a photo of our ancestors?

Photographs of tūpuna Māori are fetching top prices at auction houses, with their descendants often forking out to 'bring them home'. 

Read on.

Ātea
Nov 24, 2020

Children’s commissioner calls to disestablish Oranga Tamariki

A second review by the Children's Commission has made four key recommendations.

Read on.

Food
Nov 9, 2020

Nourishing community, nurturing culture: Why boil-up is so much more than a feed

Boil-up tells a story of connection to family, hapū, iwi or marae – and for urban Māori, it's a way to tap into the comfort of cultural connection.

Read on.

Food
Oct 20, 2020

A world beyond our feet: Rethinking our relationship with where we grow our kai

A new book aims to centre matauranga Māori in the quest to stop treating our soil like, well, dirt.

Read on.

Ātea
Aug 23, 2020

My friend, the conspiracy theorist

When writer Charlotte Muru-Lanning noticed her friend JP sharing conspiracy theories online, she challenged him on them. Here they continue that conversation.

Read on.

Ātea
Jun 14, 2020

The fight to save Ngāruawāhia’s historic food pits

The seven remaining rua that formed a vital part of Pukeiāhua Pā are at risk of being dug up for a housing development.

Read on.

Ātea
May 13, 2020

On Alison Roman, food appropriation and cancel culture

What do you do when you’re brown and a white woman you like gets cancelled?

Read on.

Ātea
Feb 29, 2020

By any memes necessary: How Māori meme pages are helping to decolonise Aotearoa

A surge of Māori internet memes have appeared on Instagram in the past year tackling topics from land theft to a shared love of fry bread.

Read on.

The Spinoff is made possible by the generous support of the following organisations.
Please help us by supporting them.